3 Benefits of Ironing Underwear and Socks

We’re used to ironing clothes for them to look neat and fit well, but we never think about ironing underwear and socks. Our freshly washed clothes are not as clean as we think. Unfortunately, some bacteria and germs can survive even 60°С, and only ironing can kill them completely. The way ironing helps with that is with the very hot steam that manages to disinfect clothes from bacteria.

But, not that many people seem to iron the clothes that not many will see, which are our underwear and socks. It seems so sad to spend time ironing socks and underwear, while you could be doing something much more useful or entertaining. If you really think about the amount of germs and bacteria that could be lying on your underwear right before you put them on your private parts, you will be shocked. That’s why you should try to eliminate all the possibilities of catching an infection by ironing all your clothes.

How necessary it is to iron underwear

When we remove the underwear from the dryer, we need to decide what to do next: iron or put them away. Unfortunately, our freshly washed clothes are not as clean as we think. Bacteria inside the washing machine can survive from cycle to cycle. The thing is, only extremely high temperatures can kill them (some bacteria can survive even 60°С).

But not all clothes can be washed at these temperatures and that is why experts recommend ironing. It’s believed that underwear contain the most germs. Regular underwear may be covered with feces and genital infections. Ironing makes underwear more sterile. People that have fungal infections have to iron their underwear.

Why it’s better to iron

• There are bacteria in the washing machine. It’s believed that all kinds of bacteria can reproduce in our washing machines, like E. coli and salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and many others. The dirty clothes we wash are the sources of these germs.
• We make mistakes during washing. Some people load the washing machine so much that it has a negative impact on the washing quality.
• There can be dust mites. Dust mites could be any item of clothing and they can lead to all sorts of problems, including allergies. Irons and steamers can help you get rid of them.

How to iron underwear

Underwear, especially for women, are made from thin and delicate fabrics. So, you have to be careful with them.

• Check the labels. Cotton, silk, viscose, and polyester are completely different fabrics that require specific temperatures.
• Set the iron at the right temperature. If you are in doubt, set a minimum temperature that you can later increase.
• Carefully iron the clothes. To protect the material, cover the underwear with a protective piece of fabric and iron on top of it.
• Fold the underwear and put them in the drawer.

How necessary it is to iron socks

We’ve figured out that underwear should be ironed but it’s not necessary for socks.

After drying, socks are usually wrinkly. But when you put them on, they stretch. In addition to that, experts don’t recommend ironing them.

The thing is, most socks contain stretchy fabric that helps them fit. The material has a low melting temperature and ironing has a negative effect on it. If ironed, this fabric in the socks will stretch and won’t fit you well anymore.

How to iron socks

If you still want to iron your socks, do it this way.

• Open the sock and put it on the ironing board.
• Cover the socks with a piece of fabric folded several times. It will protect the socks from the iron.
• Set the temperature on the iron. You can set it to above average because the fabric protects the socks.
• Carefully iron the socks and then turn them and do the same on the other side.
• Fold the socks and put them away.

How to make ironing easier and faster

• When ironing, you can always try spraying the shirts with a little bit of water. You can either use a spray bottle or the built-in spray function. This is a very effective way to reduce ironing time as the moisture coming from the water helps get wrinkles out faster.
• Iron your clothes with long, parallel movements in one direction. Circular ironing does not make wrinkles disappear easily despite what the urban myths say. In fact, it can even ruin your garments in some cases if you’re not careful.
• Use the steam function of the iron, as it accelerates the heating of the fabric of your clothes, transports the heat quickly, and penetrates more deeply, which will help you iron in less time.
• Keeping your iron in good condition will make ironing easier and prevent you from damaging your garments. There are some tricks you can use, such as cleaning it with salt. Place a cloth with several tablespoons of salt and iron on it, then wipe the iron with a damp cloth.

How to iron different fabrics

• Cotton: It’s preferable to turn the clothes inside out to avoid damage and leave them damp. Set the iron to a hot temperature and activate the steam option. When finished, fold the garment nicely so that it doesn’t wrinkle.
• Linen: If the garment is light-colored, iron it on both sides. If the garment is dark, iron it only on the reverse side and put the iron on steam mode. The iron should be set at a very high temperature.
• Wool: Place a cloth between the garment and the iron to prevent sticking. The iron should be at a low temperature. Use low steam.
• Polyester: Turn the garment inside out. The iron should be set at a low temperature. Start at the bottom of the garment. Don’t leave the iron in one place for too long.
• Silk: Turn the garment inside out and start ironing when the garment is damp. The temperature of the iron should be set to medium to low. Place a cloth or piece of fabric between the iron and the garment.
• Nylon: Select a low temperature on the iron. Smooth the garment by hand before you start ironing. Use back and forth movements and medium pressure.
• Lycra or spandex: Select a low temperature. Place a cloth or towel between the iron and the garment. Iron with forward and backward movements. Iron for a short time, as this type of material doesn’t require a lot of ironing.

Bonus: How to use ironing for alternative uses

• To remove a dent from your wooden table or any other wooden piece of furniture, you’ll need an iron, a piece of cloth, and water. Spray some water on the dent, cover it with a damp piece of cloth, and iron it. Every minute or so, add more water on the dent, and apply the heat again. Repeat this until you see the dent has been removed.
• If you’ve got candle wax stains on your clothes, your carpet, or any fabric, you can remove it with an iron. Simply place the area that has the stain between 2 towels and press it with a warm iron (make sure it’s on a low setting). The wax will stick to the towels, and you’ll be able to get rid of the stains on your clothes.
• Put the area with the chewing gum on a piece of cardboard, so that the side with the gum touches the cardboard. You’ll then have to iron the opposite side of the fabric. The gum will become softer, and it`ll stick to the cardboard, making it easy to detach the rest of it from your clothes. Make sure the temperature is not too high, otherwise the gum will melt and it’ll be hard to remove.

Are you one of those people who iron everything, including underwear, socks and even dust pans? Why do you think that ironing is so important? Do you do it so that your clothes are neat or in order to get rid of germs and bacteria?